Improving children's health in villages in Darfur

Latest on Improving Children's Health in Darfur

By Mary Clark - Project Advisor

Our Project staff regularly monitor the activities which we fund in the villages and in October they undertook a detailed survey of a sample of the first aid workers who are the key people involved in improving children's health in the villages. They surveyed 10 first aid workers in 8 of our villages. This survey helped us to get a better picture of the activities of the first aid workers and the way in which they contribute to improving health in the villages. In total 80 patients had been treated and 20% of these had been transferred to the local hospitals. Almost half of the patients treated are children under 10 years old. The most common illnesses treated are diarhhoea, chest infections, malaria and inflamed eyes. Another important part of their work is immunization and they have participated in 18 vaccination campaigns against polio, measles and meningitis - this is of incalculable benefit in protecting children from these potentially killer diseases and makes a huge contribution to improving the health of the children in the villages. The first aid workers also reported that their main activity in the villages is raising health awareness and advising villagers on adopting hygienic methods including the use of latrines.

Darfur is presently suffering an outbreak of yellow fever and there is no vaccination or treatment available. The only protection from the transmitting mosquito comes through mosquito nets. It is therefore fortunate that we have provided mosquito nets to all of the poor households which we support in our villages and so their children are being protected from the threat of yellow fever. We feel so grateful at this to all of you who have supported us that we have been able to help these families to keep their children safe and healthy.

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